Pedals for a newbie

[Grandad]

Double sided MTB type SPD

These Shimano M520 are good value at £22 and include the cleats

ps://www.tweekscycles.com/components/mtb-clipless-pedals/shimano-m520-spd-pedals-black

[hemo]

I use spd on two of my bikes and both have a flat platform on one side so I can use normal shoes if only going out locally for a short journey in normal attire.

[Mick F]

Speedplay Frogs.
They actually feel like you're not connected to the pedals as they feel so "free". Easy peasy to clip in and out and would ideal for a clipless newbie.
Double-sided and a very very low stack height so your saddle can be a tad lower.
Walkable cleats.

I've tried SPDs, and I much prefer Speedplay Frogs.

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.frog

[Airsporter1st]

Speedplay Frogs.
They actually feel like you're not connected to the pedals as they feel so "free". Easy peasy to clip in and out and would ideal for a clipless newbie.
Double-sided and a very very low stack height so your saddle can be a tad lower.
Walkable cleats.

I've tried SPDs, and I much prefer Speedplay Frogs.

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.frog

The 3D tab on the page you have linked to, doesn't work and the rest of the document dos agreat job of promoting th system, without really telling you anything.

I'm very interested in these, but can the be described as multi-release in the same way as SPD's with SM56 cleats are? Now I am used to disengaging in any direction, I'm concerned that the Frogs won't release sufficiently multi-directionally to prevent me taking a tumble.

Also, althought they say you can walk on them, the same is true of a pair of stilts. My SPD cleats, currently mounted in a cheap, but totally adequate for my needs, pair of MTB shoes, barely touch the floor when I am walking and my gait is totally normal, such that an observer would not even know I was wearing cleats. Looking at the standout of the Frog cleats, I can't help wondering whether the name is indicative of the way you have to walk in them!

Not trying to disparage them and would be very interested to hear your thoughts.

[Mick F]

The 3D works for me.
Go down to the arrows and scroll this way and that.
http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuse ... ome.frog3d

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuse ... e.frogfaqs
http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuse ... .frogspecs

I'm so happy with the Frogs, I may be buying a second pair and ditching the Campag road pedals.
The cleats are recessed and you can walk normally. I have a pair of SPD compatible shoes as well as sandals.
Back soon with a photo or two.

[Airsporter1st]

The 3D works for me.
Go down to the arrows and scroll this way and that.
http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuse ... ome.frog3d

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuse ... e.frogfaqs
http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuse ... .frogspecs

I'm so happy with the Frogs, I may be buying a second pair and ditching the Campag road pedals.
The cleats are recessed and you can walk normally. I have a pair of SPD compatible shoes as well as sandals.
Back soon with a photo or two.

Maybe because I'm on my iPad ( you don't want to know where I'm sitting!). I'll have a look when I get back to my PC.

[Airsporter1st]

The 3D works for me.
Go down to the arrows and scroll this way and that.
http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuse ... ome.frog3d

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuse ... e.frogfaqs
http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuse ... .frogspecs

I'm so happy with the Frogs, I may be buying a second pair and ditching the Campag road pedals.
The cleats are recessed and you can walk normally. I have a pair of SPD compatible shoes as well as sandals.
Back soon with a photo or two.

Maybe because I'm on my iPad ( you don't want to know where I'm sitting!). I'll have a look when I get back to my PC.

Sorry - Thanks for the info.

[Mick F]

Shoe on the left, sandal on the right.

[Brucey]

worth looking at LOOK X-track pedals too, as an alternative to SPDs

SPDs come in a version called " click'r " which is specifically aimed at newbies and commuters. I'd look at those.

cheers

[mercalia]

can some one explain the differnt options re lock-your-feet-to-the-pedal. I tend use the term spd to cover them all I assume I am wrong? if so is the idea they all use the same or are there differnt technologies?

[TrevA]

can some one explain the differnt options re lock-your-feet-to-the-pedal. I tend use the term spd to cover them all I assume I am wrong? if so is the idea they all use the same or are there differnt technologies?

Road
The main systems are:
Look (Delta - old style, Keo - new style)
SPD -SL
Time

Most of these use the 3 bolt system where the cleat protrudes from the sole of the shoe. Although they use the same fixing system, they aren't interchangeable. There's different cleats for each system that give variable amounts of float e.g Look Red cleats give 9 degrees of float.

There is also Speedplay Zeros which have a lollipop style pedal and a unique cleat. These have much more float than the other systems and are good for people with knee problems.

MTB style
SPD
Speedplay Frogs
Time ATAC

These all use the 2 bolt fixing and generally the cleat is recessed into the sole of the shoe making it easier to walk. The cleats and pedals are generally smaller than the road versions, and these types of pedals are often double sided, whereas road pedals are single sided.

[nick1984]

Right.....got me some pedals, went with the pd m520 and got me self a pair of shoes with cleats......shall we have bets on number of offs??


I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my wobbly bog brush using hovercraft full of eels

[Brucey]

everyone learns at different rates. One thing I would say is that a good number of people are OK whilst they are thinking about it, ride safely for a few weeks even, and then stop thinking about it. That is when they fall off.

Deffo a good idea to wind the tension down to the minimum and it is also a good idea to make sure you put a squirt of spray lube (WD40 or GT 85) on the pedals every time you ride, to start with. That will also help them to release easily/quickly.

cheers

[peetee]

Shimano SPD (not the racing SPD-R) get my vote every time. As someone who rode with knee pain for many years they did a great deal to reduce the discomfort. Their versatility is what sells them. Not only are they secure enough for enthusiastic riding but matched to suitable shoes walking is not an issue. Their only drawback (and its a small one really) is the tooth curling crunch noise is when you tread on a bit of gravel with the cleat.

[nick1984]

Pedals fitted, tested the clip in next to soft landing. Seems ok, will take some getting used to tho. First ride will be tonight fingers crossed so I’ll report back with number of falls


I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my wobbly bog brush using hovercraft full of eels